[John1960]

SAN FRANCISCO - From the state that popularized purse puppies, drive-thru dog washes and gourmet dog food delivery comes the latest in canine convenience - a company that contracts out dogs by the day to urbanites without the time or space to care for a pet full-time.

Marlena Cervantes, founder of FlexPetz, bristles when people refer to her five-month-old business as a rent-a-pet service. She prefers the term "shared pet ownership," explaining the concept is more akin to a vacation time share or a gym membership than a trip to the video store.

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[lastra]

It's nice for some people, but it seems ridiculous to me . If I would rent a dog, I wouldn't be able to "return" the dog back, because I would get so attached...

[cleosmom]

That's simply wrong! Dogs are pack animals and in today's modern society their pack is their family and to be tossed about like a tuxedo has to be hard on them emotionally.

If these folks want hands on time with critters why not simply volunteer with their local humane society?

[lastra]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

That's simply wrong! Dogs are pack animals and in today's modern society their pack is their family and to be tossed about like a tuxedo has to be hard on them emotionally.

If these folks want hands on time with critters why not simply volunteer with their local humane society?

Absolutely.

[COflower]

I saw that in this morning's Denver Post and about flipped a lid. So much so I did a huge rant about it in my private blog. Here's a part of it - edited for here for clarification and some stuff you don't want to see here:

I saw some news report on the early morning news yesterday (the above - about FlexPetz - was in the newspaper though) about how far people are willing to go to pamper their pets. Things like dog yoga and such. An "expert" said that essentially, when we take the dog and treat it like a human, we are not doing the dog any good. They lose their sense of pack living which is a part of their instincts. The people become less of the alpha "dogs" and it's no wonder that many dogs end up with psychological problems. They need to be in the pack and understand their role. They aren't four-legged humans.

Now I think given the FlexPetz that it's one thing to use dogs (and cats if they are that kind of cat and some are) in the role of therapy for various medical issues but to freakin' rent a dog just because you can't commit is just wrong. Therapy pets go with their owners and go home with their owners, this is a big difference. I think it may set up a long term attachment issue for a dog. I know first hand as I am Jake's (my dog) third owner and his previous owner would leave him alone (thinking of the the three days without food, water or even being able to go outside) and we have slowly worked through that issue and with Montgomery - cat - here (even though Montgomery isn't a fan) he doesn't have that behavior anymore, but on the rare occasion.

A dog isn't a convenience item, a car you lease or a gym membership you pay annually for. What's next? Renting children for those non-commital to being parents?

Okay, you want to spend $500 on a custom dog bed, that's up to you (I think it dumb but that's just me) or you want a diamond studded collar for your overpriced purebred...whatever floats your boat. I am cool with doggy day care as that helps dogs with socialization (so important to them and many dogs are left home alone with nothing to do...)....but this is just wrong.

Kind of jumbled as I was not happy after reading through their site. Go check out their site and their fees, charges and the like. Holy cow!

I feel sorry for those dogs.

[WallStreetWarrior]

What a bunch of jackasses. FlexPets get's WSW's stupidest idea of the day award.

[MacFan]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

That's simply wrong! Dogs are pack animals and in today's modern society their pack is their family and to be tossed about like a tuxedo has to be hard on them emotionally.

If these folks want hands on time with critters why not simply volunteer with their local humane society?

My thoughts exactly. How horrible for those dogs to never really get a permanent home or to bond with a family. I hope that they go out of business and soon.